DON’T BE A PROCRASTINATOR

Proverbs 15:19 – The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

My father taught my brothers and me, “Don’t put off till tomorrow, what you can do today because tomorrow never comes, it is always today.” Delay in one’s responsibilities will cause a pileup of things to be done which will have a strong effect on your ability to think clearly. Procrastination causes great pressures in an individual’s life such as pressures in relationships, pressure regarding scheduling responsibilities, and pressure in one’s own emotional make-up.

Planning is vital for our spirituality. “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). Planning begins with a life committed to God’s eternal purpose. Our time belongs to the Lord. We must learn not to be careless about how we use our time. As you plan your day, do it with the Lord. Ask the Father to be in charge of your plans. When you write down the things you need to accomplish, ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance. This is a sure way for your plans to be established. It is also good to ask for “divine appointments.” As we plan those natural appointments, know that the Lord may have some divine appoints He has prepared for you.

Planning is vital to our emotional well-being. When our mind is filled with confusion, it produces emotional stress that can affect every other area of our life. God’s will is for our emotions to be in a state of peace and rest. It is in that rest we find our greatest productivity. The Holy Spirit has been given to lead us into the rest of God.

Planning is vital to our physical health. Spiritual and emotional inconsistency is at the root of many physical problems. “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken” (Proverbs) 15:13. God made man a triune being after His own image. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

Planning is vital to any relationship. Procrastination can be very difficult on relational health. It puts others in a difficult position as their scheduling is affected by another’s procrastination. Procrastination is selfish because it neglects to take into consideration this effect on other people’s time. The Holy Spirit is our helper. He is present to help us overcome procrastination.

Father, I commit my ways to You. I ask for the Holy Spirit to lead me in my busy schedule. Help me not to procrastinate, but be responsible regarding the things I need to accomplish in my daily life. Show me what my priorities are and what is not important. I claim the peace of God for my whole spirit, soul, and body that I might be a witness of godly order in a busy world.